You are all set to return to university to get that master's degree you've always wanted. You have chosen the course, ordered the textbooks and are excited about beginning the next chapter of your education. Then your boss delivers the news: you've just been given a promotion. The only catch? The new position will involve long stretches working abroad, making it impossible for you to make your weeknight university lectures and tutorials.
As companies continue to globalise their operations, increasing numbers of Hong Kong professionals are required to spend much time travelling for work and in the office after normal business hours to communicate with other parts of the world. For many, committing to weekly on-campus classes is just not an option.
If this sounds familiar, online or distance education could be the solution for you. Students can study anywhere, anytime and take their pick of courses from universities around the world, but educators warn that students must be committed and disciplined in order to succeed.
While distance learning traditionally involved students receiving material in the post, universities have embraced the digital revolution. Some courses are conducted entirely online and those still taught in the traditional mode usually have significant online components and support.
Open University of Hong Kong offers both types of learning. Chung Siu-leng, an associate professor in OUHK's Lee Shau Kee School of Business, said some students completed their study mainly based on printed material plus some optional learning back-up such as face-to-face tutorial classes and an online learning support platform. Students enrolled in the e-learning courses accessed all course materials online and could attend real-time, online lectures and tutorials.
'By and large, all the teaching and learning activities will be done online,' Dr Chung said.